X-ray examination method and apparatus with automatic gating of the x-ray beam
First Claim
1. An x-ray examination method comprising:
- before irradiating an examination region of a subject with x-rays for obtaining an x-ray image of the region in an x-ray exposure plane disposed behind the subject, acquiring an adjustment image, encompassing the examination region, with a camera operating with non-penetrating radiation;
automatically electronically analyzing said adjustment image for identifying said examination region therein and selecting an area projected in said x-ray exposure plane wherein a projection of said examination region in said exposure plane is substantially inscribed; and
irradiating said subject with x-rays with an x-ray source and automatically electronically adjusting a diaphragm disposed in a path of said x-rays for rating said x-rays for causing said x-rays to be incident in said x-ray exposure plane only within said selected area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An x-ray apparatus has an exposure unit with an x-ray radiator and a diaphragm in front thereof, and a camera system with which an adjustment image is acquired of a subject positioned in front of an x-ray exposure plane. Using the adjustment image, a region to be examined of the subject is identified and an area of the x-ray exposure plane is selected such that the projection of the region to be examined of the subject is substantially inscribed in the projection of the areal section. The diaphragm is adjusted such that the x-ray radiation generated by the x-ray radiator is incident on the x-ray exposure plane only within the selected areal section.
18 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An x-ray examination method comprising:
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before irradiating an examination region of a subject with x-rays for obtaining an x-ray image of the region in an x-ray exposure plane disposed behind the subject, acquiring an adjustment image, encompassing the examination region, with a camera operating with non-penetrating radiation;
automatically electronically analyzing said adjustment image for identifying said examination region therein and selecting an area projected in said x-ray exposure plane wherein a projection of said examination region in said exposure plane is substantially inscribed; and
irradiating said subject with x-rays with an x-ray source and automatically electronically adjusting a diaphragm disposed in a path of said x-rays for rating said x-rays for causing said x-rays to be incident in said x-ray exposure plane only within said selected area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An x-ray apparatus comprising:
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an x-ray radiator that emits x-rays;
a diaphragm disposed in a path of said x-rays for gating said x-rays;
a radiation detector having an x-ray exposure plane for detecting x-rays to generate an image of an examination region of a subject disposed between said x-ray source and said x-ray exposure plane;
a camera, operating with non-penetrating radiation, for obtaining an adjustment image of the subject prior to irradiating subject with said x-rays; and
an evaluation unit supplied with said acquisition image for automatically electronically detecting, In said adjustment image, said examination region of the subject and for selecting an area in said x-ray exposure plane wherein a projection of said examination region in said exposure plane is inscribed, and for automatically adjusting said diaphragm for gating said x-rays for causing said x-rays to be incident in said x-ray exposure plane only within the selected area. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification